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It is humanly not possible for any Civil Services Aspirant to know all the 448 articles of Indian constitution which is divided into 25 parts. But a fair understanding of some important articles, schedules and amendments are important when you are preparing for Civil Services Exam. Aspirants also must know about some salient features of Indian constitution like Fundamental Rights, Federalism, Separation of Powers and so forth.

Indian Constitution, when written in 1949, had 295 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules. Later, other articles and 3 more parts were added to it by subsequent constitutional amendments. Today, Indian Constitution is consisting of 444 articles in 25 parts, 12 schedules, 5 appendices and 98 amendments.

Here is the compiled list of some important articles which you must read and get a fair idea to get well prepared for the Indian constitution part for Civil Services Examination.

The most important articles of Indian Constitution

S. No.

Elements

Article

1.

Fundamental Rights

14-35

2.

Directive Principles of State Policy

36 – 51

3.

Fundamental Duties specified for citizens of India

51 A

4.

Official Language of Union Government of India – Hindi (Until it was changed to English)

343

5.

Imposition of President’s Rule

356

6.

Autonomous Status to the state of Jammu & Kashmir

370

7.

Repeals India Independence Act and Government of India Act, 1935

395

Other Important articles you must read and get a fair idea

Part of the Indian Constitution

Elements

Article

I

India as Union of States & the territories of the states

1

Admission and Establishment of New States

2

Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States

3

II

Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution

5

Rights of citizenship of a certain person who has migrated to India from Pakistan

6

Continuance of the rights of citizenship

10

Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law.

11

III

Definition of the State

12

Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights

13

Fundamental Rights of the Citizens of India

14-35

1. Right to Equality

14 -18

a) Right to Equality – Equality before the law

14

b) Right to Equality – Prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex. Or place of birth

15

c) Right to Equality – Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment

16

d) Right to Equality – Abolition of the untouchability

17

e) Right to Equality – Abolition of titles

18

2. Right to Freedom

19-22

a) Guarantees to all the citizens of India

Right to freedom of speech and expression

Right to assemble peacefully and without arms

Right to form associations or unions

Right to move freely throughout the territory of India

Right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India

Right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade, and business

19

b) Protection in respect of conviction for offences

20

c) Protection of life & personal liberty

21

d) Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases

22

Also Read:

a) Right to Information

19(1)

b) Right to privacy

21

c) Right to education

21(A)

3. Right Against Exploitation

23-24

a) Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour

23

b) Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines for under the age of 14

24

4. Right to Freedom of Religion

25 – 28

a) Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion

25

b) Freedom to manage religious affairs

26

c) Freedom as to pay taxes for promotion of any particular religion

27

d) Freedom from attending religious instruction

28

5. Cultural & Educational Rights

29 – 30

a) Protection of interest of minorities

29

b) Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions

30

6. Right to Constitutional Remedies

31 – 35

a) Right to property (Repealed/Abolished)

31

b) Remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights

32

c) Power of Parliament to modify the rights in their application to Forces, etc.

33

d) Restriction on rights while martial law is in force in any area

34

e) Legislation to give effect to the provisions of this Part Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution,

Parliament shall have, and the Legislature of a State shall not have, power to make laws

Any law in force immediately before the commencement of this Constitution in the territory of India continue in force until altered or repealed or amended by Parliament Explanation

35

IV

Directive Principles of State Policy

36-51

1. Definition

36

2. Application of the Principles

37

3. State to Secure a social order for promotion of welfare of people

38

4. Certain principles of policy to be followed by the state

39

5. Equal Justice & free legal aid

39 (A)

6. Organisation of Village panchayats

40

7. Right to work, to education, and to public assistance in certain cases

41

8. Provision for just and humane conditions of work & maternity relief

42

9. Living Wages, etc. for Workers

43

10. Participation of workers in management of industries

43 (A)

11. Uniform Civil Code for the citizens

44

12. Provision for free & compulsory education for children (stands substituted until date further announced)

45

13. Promotion of educational and economic interest of scheduled castes, ST, and OBC

46

14. Duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health

47

15. Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry

48

16. Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life

48 (A)

17. Protection of monuments and places and objects of natural importance

a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem

b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom

c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India

d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so

e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women

f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture

g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures

h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform

i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence

j) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement

k) who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years (Stands not-in-force until date is notified)

51 (A)

V

The Union

52 – 151

The President of India

52

Executive Power of the union

53

Election of President

54

Manner of election of President

55

Procedure for Impeachment of the President

61

The Vice President of India

63

Election of Vice-president

66

Pardoning powers of President

72

Council of Ministers to aid and advise President

74

Constitution of Parliament

79

The speakers and Deputy speakers of the house of the people

93

Powers, Privileges, etc of the House of Parliament

105

Special procedure in respect of money bills

109

Definition of “Money Bills”.

110

Annual Financial Budget

112

Appropriation Bills

114

Powers of the President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of parliament

123

Establishment of Supreme Court

124

Appointment of acting Chief justice

126

Supreme court to be a court of Record

129

Seat of the Supreme court

130

Special leaves for appeal to the Supreme Court

136

Review of judgement or orders by the Supreme court

137

Decision of the Supreme Court binding on all the courts

141

Comptroller and Auditor- General of India

148

Duties & Powers of CAG

149

VI

The States

152 – 237

Definition

152

Governors of the State

153

Executive power of State

154

Appointment of Governor

155

Term of office of Governor

156

Discharge of the functions of the Governor in certain contingencies

160

Pardoning powers of the Governor

161

Advocate-General of the State

165

Language to be used in the Legislature

210

Power of Governor to promulgate ordinances

213

High Courts for states

214

High Courts to be a court of record

215

Power of High Courts to issue certain writs

226

Appointment of District judges

233

Control over Sub-Ordinate Courts

235

VII

The States (Part B) – Repealed in the 7th Amendment Act, 1956

238

VIII

The Union Territories

239 – 242

Administration of Union Territories

239

Special provisions with respect to Delhi

239 (AA)

Power of President to make regulations for certain Union territories

240

High Courts for Union territories

241

IX

The Panchayats

243 A-O

a) Definitions

243

b) Gram Sabha

243 (A)

c) Constitution of Panchayats

243 (B)

d) Powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats

243 (G)

e) Bar to interference by courts in electoral matters

243 (O)

IX (A)

The Municipalities

243 P – ZG

X

The Scheduled & Tribal Areas

244

XI

Relations between the Union & the states

245 – 263

XII

Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits

264 – 300

Interpretation

264

Consolidated Funds and public accounts of India and of the States.

266

Contingency Fund

267

Duties levied by the Union but collected and appropriated by the States

268

Taxes levied and collected by the Union but assigned to the States

269

Taxes levied and distributed between the Union and the States

270

Surcharge on certain duties and taxes for purposes of the Union

271

Finance Commission

280

Borrowing by the Government of India

292

Borrowing by States

293

Suits and proceedings

300

XIII

Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the Territory of India

301 – 307

Freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse

301

Power of Parliament to impose restrictions on trade, commerce and intercourse

302

Appointment of authority for carrying out the purposes of articles 301 to 304

307

XIV

Services Under the Union and the States

308 – 323

Interpretation

308

Recruitment and conditions of service of persons serving the Union or a State

309

All-India services

312

Public service commissions for the union and for the states

315

Functions of Public Service Commission

320

XIV (A)

Tribunals

323 (A) – 323 (B)

Administrative Tribunals

323 (A)

Tribunals for other matters

323 (B)

XV

Elections

324 – 329

Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in an Election Commission

324

No person to be ineligible for inclusion in, or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex

325

Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrage

326

XVI

Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes

330 – 342

National Commission for the SC, & ST

338

Appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes

340

Scheduled Castes

341

Scheduled Tribes

342

XVII

Official Language

343 – 351

Official language of the Union

343

Official languages or languages of states

345

Languages to be used in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts

348

Directive for development of the Hindi languages

351

XVIII

Emergency Provisions

352 – 360

Proclamation of Emergency

352

Duty of the Union to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance

355

Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in States

356

Provisions as to financial emergency

360

XIX

Miscellaneous

361 – 367

Protection of President and Governors and Rajpramukhs

361

Effect of failure to comply with, or to give effect to, directions given by the Union

365

Definitions

366

Interpretation

367

XX

Amendment of the Constitutions

368

XXI

Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions

369 – 392

Temporary power to Parliament to make laws with respect to certain matters in the State List as if they were matters in the Concurrent List

369

Temporary provisions with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir

370

XXII

Short title – This Constitution may be called the Constitution of India